11 Things to Do in Liverpool on a Small Budget

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool. Officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, the unmissable landmark carries the local nickname of Paddy's Wigwam. It's also the mother church of the Roman Catholic Liverpool Archdiocese. 

The cathedral is a Grade II-listed building that's known for its unique and stunning architecture by Frederick Gibbard and was constructed between 1962 and 1967. The cathedral is highly unusual in its circular structure that allows for maximum viewing of the altar, and for the incorporation of the burial crypt of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the designer of one of the unrealized church concepts for the site from 1930.

Sefton Park is among the best-known parks in Liverpool and the most-loved by local residents. It's listed as a Grade I heritage location and covers 200 acres of land. The park was designed to maintain the appearance and surroundings of a natural landscape, but the elegant gardens and Victorian-era paths are immaculately maintained. In the spring, you'll see millions of daffodils casting a golden hue around the lake while a landscape carpeted with bluebells provides a sense of utter serenity. 

The walking paths are lined with indigenous British trees, and you can boat on the lake, see statues of Peter Pan and Eros, and even enjoy a cup of tea at the local cafe. Don't forget to visit the completely restored, all-glass Palm House building as well.

St George's Hall is easily accessible, sitting just opposite the Lime Street Station, and is at the heart of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site St George's Quarter. The hall is considered among the most stunning examples in the world of neoclassical architecture. Harry Potter fans will rejoice that it was also the site where parts of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) were filmed, standing in for New York in the 1920s. 

It hosts a wide variety of public (and free) events all year long, from guided tours to comedy shows and musical performances. The tours let you see hidden parts of the building that others rarely experience, combined with ghostly stories of cells and catacombs throughout.

The Bluecoat is the cultural and artistic hub of Liverpool. It's in a 300-year-old Grade I-listed building at the heart of the city centre and hosts a broad range of artists, craftspeople, performers and creative activities year-round. 

Here you can view paintings from some of the most important local artists, view a heritage display tracing the building's history, pick up boutique clothing and local arts and crafts, and even enjoy a meal at the on-site bistro. You can walk the galleries or relax in the colourful gardens with coffee and cakes. It's a creative haven in Liverpool with activities the whole family will enjoy.

The expansive subterranean caverns that form the Williamson Tunnels in Liverpool are a mystery even today. They date to the 19th century, around the year 1817, when eccentric trader and tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson undertook a massive construction project connecting multiple buildings with a series of elaborate tunnels. 

Legend has it that it was part of an end-of-days cult, but some scholars think it was a simple public works project to keep staff employed during a deep recession. It's still not known exactly how many tunnels there are, as they are still being excavated and the entire system has yet to be mapped.

The first thing that sets the Liverpool Central Library apart from other public libraries is its size. It's the largest of Liverpool's 22 libraries. It's housed in multiple buildings along William Brown Street, and all of the buildings are rich in history. These buildings date as far back as 1860 and once housed museums, former libraries and reading rooms. 

Before the library became public, it was known as the Lyceum and served as a subscription library. Liverpool Central Library was awarded the 2018 Bookseller's Library of the Year Award, and while the services it operates are ultramodern, all of the historical features and atmosphere remain intact.

Liverpool's Baltic Triangle was once an industrial region of the city but today stands as a bohemian and alternative-culture hub where you can walk through warehouses around Jamaica Street to see unique indie businesses, casual eateries, art studios, and outdoor arts events. 

The area is also ripe with stunning art by the most important street artists of the generation, including Paul Curtis' works such as the Liver Bird Wings on Jamaica Street and the Abbey Road mural on the side of Cains Brewery, and the works of Akse such as the portrait of Jürgen Klopp on Jordan Street and the Stephen Hawking Portrait on Parliament Street.

The 2 galleries and cinema at FACT, the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, are a hidden gem of Liverpool. They're located in the Historic Ropewalks Quarter a few steps away from the area's famed Bold Street. It's the leading location for the promotion, support and exhibition of innovation in the arts, especially in film, video and new media. 

FACT houses a broad showcase of artists from all over the world and seeks to increase knowledge of how new technologies are affecting humanity socially. Entry is 100% free and includes the 3 state-of-the-art cinemas, the innovative Box space and the Garden by Liverpool tea company LEAF. You can easily spend a day or more exploring this space.